JP5645964B2 - A set for achieving a threaded connection structure, a method for achieving a threaded connection structure, a connection structure achieved using the method, a double connection structure constituted by the connection structure, a method for disassembling the threaded connection structure, And use of the connection structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a set that achieves a threaded connection structure used for the drilling or operation of hydrocarbon wells. The set comprises first and second tubular components comprising a male type threaded region at one of the ends, each component also comprising a third tubular component, wherein the third tubular component is preferably It is shorter than the first and second tubular components and is provided with a female-type threaded area at each end and can cooperate with assembly with said male threaded area. The present invention relates to a method for forming the set and a threaded connection structure obtained by forming the set. The invention also relates to a decomposition method.

  The term "components used for drilling and working with hydrocarbon wells" refers to maintenance risers such as strings and refurbishment risers that are connected to other elements of the same type or for drilling hydrocarbon wells Or any element that is substantially tubular in shape intended to construct and complete a casing string or tubular string for the operation of a well.

  The term “connection structure” means a connection between tubular components. By way of example, it is known to connect these two very long tubes by assembling an end provided with one external thread into an end provided with another internal thread. It is also known to connect these two very long tubular components by using a shorter tubular component, also called a coupling, by assembling each female end of this coupling to the male threaded end of two very long tubular components. It is.

  In known methods, components used for hydrocarbon well drilling applications and operations are assembled together with high assembly torque. The latter is generally achieved by tightening each adjacent face of the component or by screw cooperation, a self-locking screw. However, some applications, such as in the case of risers, induce high stresses. For this reason, very high assembly torques must be used to prevent component disassembly. However, the assembly torque is limited due to the risk of plasticization. Thus, a reliable connection is required in preparation for the risk of accidental disassembly.

  Parts that prevent the tubular components from rotating relative to each other can be used to lock the tubular components that are assembled together in preparation for disassembly. In Patent Document 1, the first tubular component is assembled with the second tubular component, and the first tubular component compresses a portion having a smaller outer diameter. When the two rings are assembled, they block each other's components. The rings are also secured together by a rod that is secured to the ring. In Patent Document 2, the first tubular component is assembled with the second tubular component, and the relative rotation with respect to the other one is used by a portion blocked by a screw in the housing extending to the thickness of the first and second components. Locked.

European Patent Application No. 1664477 U.S. Pat. No. 4,406,485 WO03 / 048623 WO04 / 109173

  However, this type of solution has the disadvantage of increasing the number of parts present in the connection structure and using screws, bolts, etc., in fact, maintenance and well contamination (depending on the number of parts) The facility must be designed as simple as possible to limit (for example, the risk of screw loss), which is not accurately understood by the user.

  The present invention relates to a set of tubular components that can be easily assembled to one another to achieve a connection structure in which the set does not easily disassemble when the connection structure is in operation.

More precisely, a set that achieves a threaded connection structure used in hydrocarbon wells, the following:
A first tubular component comprising one end comprising at least two threaded regions of the same lead on the outer peripheral surface;
A second tubular component comprising at least two threaded regions on the inner peripheral surface;
A third tubular component comprising one end comprising at least one threaded region on the inner peripheral surface and comprising at least one threaded region on the outer peripheral surface;
Where:
The threaded area provided on the inner peripheral surface of the end of the third component can cooperate by assembling with one of the two threaded areas of the end of the first component;
The threaded area provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end of the third component can cooperate by assembling with one of the two threaded areas of the second component, the second and third components being And means for determining the end of assembly of the threaded region;
The other threaded areas provided on the end of the first component can cooperate by assembly with other threaded areas provided on the second component;
The set.

  As a characteristic, the lead of the threaded region provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the third component is at least 10% more than the lead of the threaded region provided on the inner peripheral surface of the end portion of the third component. Large, preferably equal to twice the lead of the threaded area provided on the inner peripheral surface of the end of the third component.

  As one feature, the threaded region provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end of the third component and the threaded region provided on the inner peripheral surface of the end of the third component are in opposite directions.

  As one feature, the means for determining the end of assembly of the threaded area provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end of the third component and the corresponding threaded area of the second component are on the end face of the end of the third component and Adjacent surfaces each provided on a surface formed by a shoulder on the second component.

  As one feature, the end of the first component can co-operate on the end surface adjacent to the corresponding adjacent surface provided on the surface formed by the shoulder on the second component. Is provided.

  As one feature, the means for determining the end of assembly between the threaded area provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end of the third component and the corresponding threaded area of the second component is the threaded Consists of regions.

  As a feature, the end of the first component can cooperate by clamping on its end face with a corresponding sealing surface provided on the surface formed by the shoulder on the second component. A sealing surface is provided.

  As a feature, the threaded region of the tubular component is on a tapered envelope with a taper angle in the range of 0.5-4 °.

  As a feature, the threaded region provided on the end of the first component is on the same tapered envelope so as to form a single continuous screw.

A method for achieving a threaded connection structure for use in a hydrocarbon well comprising:
Providing a set for achieving the threaded connection structure;
Assembling a threaded area provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end of the third component into a corresponding threaded area provided on the end of the second component by the time assembly is completed;
Assembling the two threaded areas provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end of the first tubular component into corresponding threaded areas provided respectively on the inner peripheral surfaces of the second and third components;
-A decomposition torque C0 is applied between the second tubular component and the third tubular component;
To achieve a threaded connection structure.

  One connection structure may be achieved using the inventive method wherein the first and third tubular components are very long tubes and the second tubular component is a coupling.

  One connection structure may be achieved using the inventive method where the first tubular component is a very long tube and the second and third tubular components are couplings.

  One double connection structure is achieved using the inventive method wherein the second and third tubular components are couplings. The third component forms one identical tubular component.

  The threaded connection structure of the present invention may be used in a riser.

A method for disassembling a threaded connection structure comprising:
Applying an assembly torque C0 between the second tubular component and the third tubular component;
Disassembling two threaded areas provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first end of the tubular component from the corresponding threaded areas;
Disassembling the threaded area provided on the outer peripheral surface of the third end from the threaded area;
Is provided.

  The features and advantages of the present invention are explained in more detail in the following description and will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a connection structure obtained by connecting one set of two very long tubular components assembled using a coupling. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a connection structure obtained by connecting one set of two very long tubular components assembled using a coupling. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a connection structure obtained by connecting (by assembly) one set of two very long tubular components using a three part coupling.

  FIG. 1 shows three tubular components with a rotation axis 10. One end 12 of the first component has two threaded regions 121, 122 on its outer peripheral surface. Each lead in the threaded area is the same. The second tubular component 22 includes two threaded regions 221 and 222 on its inner peripheral surface. The third component comprises a threaded region 201 'on its inner peripheral surface and a threaded region 202' on its outer peripheral surface at one of the ends 20 '.

  The threaded region 201 ′ provided on the inner peripheral surface of the third component end 20 ′ cooperates by assembling with the threaded region 121 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first component end 12. be able to. The first and third components further comprise means for determining the end of assembly of the threaded region such that assembly is stopped after a predetermined number of revolutions. Here, the means includes adjacent surfaces provided respectively on the shoulder 203's of the third tubular component and the end surface 123 of the first tubular component. It is also possible to recall elements that can determine the end of assembly, such as, for example, self-locking screws for threaded areas 201 'and 121. The principle of this screw is to increase the width of the screw as it moves away from the end face of the component, and if the width of the bottom of the screw valley is such that it can no longer advance the screw, the flank collides with each other at the end of assembly and the screw locks. As is done, it is to narrow the width of the bottom of the screw valley.

  The threaded region 202 ′ provided on the outer peripheral surface of the third component end 20 ′ can cooperate by assembling with the threaded region 221 of the second component 22. The end 20 'of the second component 22 and the third component further comprises means for determining the end of assembly of the threaded region so that the assembly is stopped after a predetermined number of revolutions. Here, these means include adjacent surfaces respectively provided on the shoulder 203 'of the second tubular component and the end surface 223 of the third tubular component. It is also possible to recall elements that can determine the end of assembly, such as, for example, self-locking screws in threaded regions 202 'and 221.

  Other threaded regions 122 provided on the first end 12 can cooperate by assembling with other threaded regions 222 provided on the second component 22.

  The term “threaded region” means any region belonging to the circumferential surface of a threaded tubular component, where the screw may be continuous, interrupted, multiple, single It may be regular, it may be regular, and it may be irregular.

  The term “end face” means a surface that extends through the thickness of the tubular component to the free end of the end of the tubular component relative to a circumferential surface that extends along the longitudinal axis of the tubular component. In other words, the end face is in the form of an annular surface radially oriented with respect to the axis 10 of the tubular component.

  The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. There are also three tubular components with a rotation axis 10. One of the ends 11 of the first component has two threaded regions 111 and 112 on its outer peripheral surface. Each lead in the threaded area is the same. The second tubular component 21 comprises two threaded areas 211 and 212 on its inner peripheral surface. The third component comprises a threaded region 201 on its inner peripheral surface at one of its ends 20 and a threaded region 202 on its outer peripheral surface.

  The threaded region 201 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the end 20 of the third component can cooperate by assembling with the threaded region 111 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end 11 of the first component. it can. The threaded area 202 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end 20 of the third component can cooperate by assembling with the threaded area 211 of the second component 21. The end 20 of the second component 21 and the third component further comprises means for determining the end of assembly of the threaded region so that assembly is stopped after a predetermined number of revolutions. The threaded region 112 provided on the first end 11 can cooperate by assembling with the threaded region 212 provided on the second component 21.

  The two variants shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 constitute a reinforced assembly mode between the first and third tubular component ends. In fact, fixing the ends of the first and third components together by assembly is a direct cooperation between the threaded area provided on the first component and the threaded area provided on the third component. Partially related. Next, it also relates to the cooperation of the threaded region between the first component and the second component and between the second component and the third component. In short, in the part represented by the length of the second component, the threaded area appears to be long. This means that the overall tightening of the contact surface between the screws is very high per unit length of the tube in this part.

  The first and third tubular components can be more optimally secured by assembly by performing certain properties associated with the threaded region of the third component.

  With the first improvement and with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the leads of the threaded regions 202, 202 ′ provided on the outer peripheral surface of the third component end 20, 20 ′ are connected to the end 20. , 20 ′ longer than the leads of the threaded regions 201, 201 ′ provided on the inner peripheral surface. The term “lead” means the distance covered by the tubular component when it is fully rotated. It will also be recalled that when a threaded tubular component is incorporated into another tubular component with complementary threads, the threaded component is moved by translation along the axis of rotation.

  Thus, when the first, second and third tubular components are assembled together, the third component cannot be disassembled from the set constituted by the first and second ends. In fact, locking occurs due to the difference in lead between the threaded regions 201, 202, 201 ', 202' holding the third tubular component in the set composed of the first and second components. When attempting to disassemble the third tubular component, between the threaded areas 202, 202 ′ on the outer peripheral surface of the third component end 20, 20 ′ and the threaded areas 201, 201 ′ on the inner peripheral surface thereof. More precisely, the load flank in the threaded region on the inner peripheral surface of the third component is more accurately compared to the load flank in the threaded region on the outer peripheral surface of the end portions 11 and 12 of the first component. And pressing.

  With the second improvement and with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the threaded regions 202, 202 ′ provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end 20, 20 ′ of the third component are said end 20, 20. It is generated in the opposite direction to the threaded regions 201 and 201 ′ provided on the inner peripheral surface of “. Thus, when the first, second and third tubular components are assembled together, the third component cannot be disassembled from the set constituted by the first and second ends. In fact, locking occurs when the direction of the threaded regions 201, 202, 201 ', 202' holding the third component in the set composed of the first and second components is reversed.

The locking that occurs due to the diversity of the threaded regions 111, 121 and 112, 122 formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the end portions 11, 12 of the first component is as follows:
Providing a set for achieving a threaded connection structure;
By the end of the assembly, the threaded areas 202; 202 ′ provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end 20; 20 ′ of the third component correspond to the ends 21; 22 of the second component Assembling the threaded region 211; 221;
The two threaded regions 111, 112; 121, 122 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end of the first tubular component 11; 12 are the inner peripheral surfaces 212, 201; 222, 201 of the second and third components 'Assembling into corresponding threaded areas each provided on;
Applying a decomposition torque C0 between the second tubular component and the third tubular component;
Means that the set consisting of the first, second and third components can be locked.

  The selection of the torque C0 must be defined as a function of the dimensions of the tubular component and the selected application (drilling, riser, etc.).

  In this way, the load flank of the threaded region 111, 121 remains pressed against the load flank of the corresponding threaded region 201, 201 ′, and the piercing flank of the threaded region 112, 122 is the corresponding threaded region 212, 222. Is pressed against the piercing flank. The pressing prevents the first tubular component from being disassembled.

So the following:
Applying an assembly torque between the second tubular component and the third tubular component to remove the pressure between the threaded regions 111, 121 and 112, 122 of the first component;
Disassembling the two threaded areas 111, 112; 121, 122 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first end of the tubular component 11; 12 from the corresponding threaded areas;
Disassembling the threaded region 202; 202 ′ provided on the outer peripheral surface of the third end 20; 20 ′ from the threaded region 211; 221;
There is a decomposition method including.

  The embodiment described in detail above is an embodiment particularly applied to a riser. The risers that connect the ocean surface to the seabed are particularly susceptible to disassembly when undulations or ocean currents that produce high torsional stresses are present. Torsional stress mainly affects two consecutive very long tubes and does not affect very long tubes and the couplings connected to them. More precisely, if the first and third components are very long tubes and the second component is a coupling, the torsional stress will not allow the first and third components to break apart from each other. The first component is inevitably from a set constituted by coupling with a third component assembled together, ie, held by a mark Y1 or Y2 and a mark X1 or X2, as shown in FIGS. Must be broken down into

  The following definitions are recalled: Short tubes are called “couplings” and are intended to connect very long tubes. The connection structure is referred to as a T & C connection structure (threaded and coupled). For example, the length of a coupling type tube is 0.2 to 0.7 meters, and the length of a very long tube is 6 to 15 meters.

  FIG. 3 shows another embodiment in which the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are combined. The two connection structures of the present invention each comprise a first, second and third tubular component. In one connection structure, the threaded ends 11, 20 of the first and third tubular components are assembled together with a coupling 21. In other connection structures, the threaded ends 12, 20 ′ of the first and third tubular components are assembled together with a coupling 22. The first tubular components 11, 12 are very long tubes. Ends 20 and 20 'are ends of the same tubular component that is also a coupling. The tubes 11 and 12 are connected in a set comprising three couplings 20, 21, 22. By holding X1 and X2, the first tubular components 11, 12 cannot be disassembled from each other. By holding X1 and Y1 on the one hand and X2 and Y2 on the other, the first tubular components 11, 12 must each be disassembled from a set consisting of three couplings 20, 21, 22 Don't be. Since the ends 20, 20 'of the third tubular component need not be symmetrical, many possibilities can be recalled in this respect.

  If necessary, the connection structure constitutes a function for preventing disassembly.

  Advantageously, the end parts 11, 12 of the first component are clamped to the end faces 113, 123 together with the corresponding sealing surfaces provided on the shoulders 203 s, 203 s ′ of the second component 21, 22 together with the adjacent faces. A cooperating sealing surface. In fact, if the connection structure has to be sealed, the sealing surface must be able to bring the contacts into close contact with the first and third components and the second and third components. For types of sealing surfaces, reference can be made to conventional sealing surfaces in the subject technical field. This conventional sealing surface is, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,099,036 and 5,037,096, incorporated herein by reference, a heavy cone structure, an annulus-on-cone structure, an annulus and a cone-on-cone. It may be a structure.

  Advantageously, the threaded region may be on a tapered envelope that forms an angle of taper with respect to the connecting structure's axis of rotation 10. This means that the tubular components are easy to assemble together. The half angle of the tapered bus bar is generally 0.5 to 4 °, preferably 1 to 2 °.

  Advantageously, the threaded regions 111, 112, 121, 122 provided at the end parts 11, 12 of the first component are located on the same taper envelope with a taper angle α with respect to the axis of rotation 10, A continuous screw is formed. This means that the machining operation for the first component is easier. Thus, it should be noted that the complementary threaded regions 201, 212, 201 ', 202 are arranged interchangeably. As an example, if the coupling 21 is assembled with the end 20 of the third tubular component, the threaded areas 201 and 212 can be machined in one operation.

  Of course, there may be other embodiments in which the threaded regions 211, 212, 221, 222 on the inner peripheral surface of the second component 21, 22 are arranged on the same tapered or uniform cylindrical envelope. In this case, the threaded regions 111, 112, 121, 122 provided on the end portions 11, 12 of the first component are not located on the same envelope.

Claims (14)

A set to achieve a threaded connection structure used in hydrocarbon wells, the following:
A first tubular component comprising one end (11; 12) comprising at least two threaded regions (111, 112; 121, 122) of the same lead on the outer peripheral surface;
A second tubular component (21; 22) comprising at least two threaded areas (211; 212; 221, 222) on the inner peripheral surface;
One end (20; 20 ′) with at least one threaded region (201; 201 ′) on the inner peripheral surface and with at least one threaded region (202; 202 ′) on the outer peripheral surface A third tubular component comprising:
Where:
The threaded region (201; 201 ′) provided on the inner peripheral surface of the end (20; 20 ′) of the third component is the two threaded regions of the end (11; 12) of the first component Can cooperate by assembling with one of (111; 121);
The threaded area (202; 202 ') provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end (20; 20') of the third component is the two threaded areas (211; 221) of the second component (21; 22) And the second and third components further comprise means for determining the end of assembly of the threaded region;
The other threaded area (112; 122) provided on the end (11; 12) of the first component is another threaded area (212; provided on the second component (21; 22)). 222) can work together by assembling with ;
The end (11; 12) of the first component is on the end surface (113; 123), on the surface formed by the shoulder (203s; 203's) on the second component (21; 22) A set to achieve a threaded connection structure comprising adjacent surfaces and sealing surfaces adjacent to and capable of cooperating by tightening . The lead of the threaded region (202; 202 ') provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end (20; 20') of the third component is on the inner peripheral surface of the end (20: 20 ') of the third component. The set to achieve the threaded connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the set is at least 10% larger than the lead of the threaded area (201; 201 ′) provided on the surface.   A threaded region (202; 202 ') provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end (20; 20') of the third component and an inner peripheral surface of the end (20; 20 ') of the third component. A set to achieve a threaded connection structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the threaded regions (201; 201 ') are in opposite directions.   Of the threaded area (202; 202 ') provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end (20; 20') of the third component and the corresponding threaded area (211; 221) of the second component (21; 22). The means for determining the end of assembly is formed by the shoulder (213; 223) on the end face (203; 203 ') of the end (20; 20') of the third component and on the second component (21; 22). The set which achieves the threaded connection structure of any one of Claims 1-3 which are the adjacent surfaces each provided on the surface.   The end of assembly between the threaded area (202; 202 ') provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end (20; 20') of the third component and the corresponding threaded area (211; 221) of the second component 4. A set for achieving a threaded connection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the means for determining is constituted by the threaded regions that automatically lock together. The set to achieve the threaded connection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the threaded region of the tubular component is on a tapered envelope whose taper angle is in the range of 0.5 to 4 °. The threaded regions (111, 112; 121, 122) provided on the end (11; 12) of the first component are on the same tapered envelope so as to form a single continuous screw. section 1-6 set to achieve a threaded connection structure of any one of claims. A method for achieving a threaded connection structure for use in a hydrocarbon well comprising:
Providing a set for achieving the threaded connection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ;
By the time the assembly is completed, the threaded region (202; 202 ′) provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end (20; 20 ′) of the third component is on the end (21; 22) of the second component. Assembling into corresponding threaded areas (211; 221) provided in
The two threaded regions (111, 112; 121, 122) provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end of the first tubular component (11; 12) are connected to the inner peripheral surfaces (212, 212) of the second and third components 201; 222, 201 ′) assembling into corresponding threaded areas each provided on;
A method of achieving a threaded connection structure. 9. A method for achieving a threaded connection structure as claimed in claim 8 , wherein finally a decomposition torque C0 is applied between the second tubular component and the third tubular component. 10. The connection structure achieved using the method of claim 9 , wherein the first and third tubular components are very long tubes and the second tubular component is a coupling. 10. A connection structure achieved using the method of claim 9 , wherein the first tubular component is a very long tube and the second and third tubular components are couplings. 12. A double connection structure constituted by two connection structures according to claim 11, wherein the third component forms one identical tubular component. Use of a threaded connection structure according to any one of claims 9-12 in a riser. A method for disassembling a threaded connection structure according to claim 9 or 10 , comprising:
Applying an assembly torque C0 between the second tubular component and the third tubular component;
Disassembling the two threaded areas (111, 112; 121, 122) provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first end of the tubular component (11; 12) from the corresponding threaded areas;
Disassembling the threaded region (202; 202 ′) provided on the outer peripheral surface of the third end (20:20 ′) from the threaded region (211; 221);
A method for disassembling a threaded connection structure comprising:

Images